9 bodies found in makeshift grave in N.E. India

NEW DELHI, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Nine persons were found murdered by suspected militants in the northeast Indian state of Nagaland in a gruesome makeshift grave Saturday, said local media.

Highly decomposed bodies of nine unidentified persons, who were blindfolded with hands tied up, were found buried and lying atop each other, in a gorge in Dimapur district of Nagaland bordering Bangladesh, said Times of India online.

The victims were shot from close range on the heads and the bodies were covered with a blue polythene sheet over which some boulders were placed, said police who thought they were killed two weeks ago. Police have registered a case and investigation was in progress.

Some militant groups, who also are also believed to be linked with criminals, are active in India's restive northeast region and they stage kidnapping, murder and bomb blasts from time to time.